Scripture: Acts

In this message, we begin our study of the Book of Acts. Brian begins by giving an introduction and overview of the Book of Acts. This is followed by examining the first 8 verses of chapter 1, and asking the question, “What did the apostles need in order for the risen Christ to continue to do and teach through them?” In this study we conclude by examining the subject of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

What was taking place during the 10 days prior to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit?

On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came with extraordinary power. What significance does Pentecost have for believers today?

In this message we examine Peter’s first recorded sermon on the day of Pentecost.  What things was Peter anxious to communicate to these unbelieving Jews? How was his preaching different from our preaching today?

In this passage of Scripture, Luke gives us a glimpse into the life of the infant church – and what a glimpse it is! It makes us long to see those days again!

Peter heals a lame man, and then launches into a Christ-centered message that results in a multitude of conversions.

See the unstoppable march of the early church as they are victorious over persecution, leading to powerful prayer.

What was the secret of the early church’s greatness?  Great grace, great fear, and great power!

In this passage we see the dogged tenacity of the apostles to continue to preach and teach about Jesus in spite of fierce persecution. What an incredible example for us today!

In this message we see an encouraging example of how God uses the evil actions of men for good.  What God had decreed in eternity, men will demand in time.

In this message we examine the mission of Philip the evangelist to the Samaritans, who were at mutual animosity with the Jews for over 700 years. As the Samaritans receive the gospel, we see how our God is a missionary God, going out to save all of the nations of the world, not only the Jews.

We must ask God to break our hearts so that those of us who are already saved will go after those who are dying.

In this study we see how the Lord Jesus conquers Saul’s stubborn and rebellious will by His grace.  Behold the long suffering, revealing and subduing of Christ! What matchless mercy!

In this study we see the Lord Jesus, commissioning, healing, and empowering Saul. Although we are not apostles like Paul, there is a tremendous spiritual lesson for all of us here.

In this message, we learn about how two great miracles that were done through the Apostle Peter point to the example, glory, kingdom, and salvation of Jesus.

In this message we see that all people, whatever race or culture they are, whether they live sinful or religious lives, are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

In this message we see how the spiritual gifts that God has given to his saints are used in the planting, growth, and bearing fruit of the church of Antioch.

It is madness to fight with God, because He always wins.  See how this truth is played out in Acts 12 as Herod fights with God.

God is on mission to save sinners who are doomed to everlasting punishment.  As his church, we get to announce the good news of his salvation to all men – to be on mission with him.  In this teaching, we see some of the characteristics of the missionaries in the early church.

Every Christian is a missionary – either a local or trans-local missionary. We don’t get to choose whether we are going to be missionaries – just if we are going to be good or bad missionaries. Check out the message on what makes a great missionary!

God accepts everyone on the same basis – by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  Therefore, in this message we see the apostles and elders of the early church rejecting the teaching that Gentiles need to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved, and affirming that salvation is purely by grace!

A missional community is a group of believers who are on mission in a particular community to make disciples for Jesus. Today, as we read about the apostle Paul setting out on his second missionary journey, we will look at some of great characteristics of an effective missionary team.

As Jesus uses his missionaries in Philippi to build his church, he uses both their personal witnessing to various people, the casting out of a demon from a fortune-telling slave girl, as well as an unjust imprisonment of Paul and Silas brought about by the angry owners of the slave girl, to make a church in Philippi consisting of people from very different backgrounds, including even the very jailor that was charged to watch over Paul and Silas as they were imprisoned.

Although God created our world perfect, sin has turned it on its head. As Paul and his team go about confronting sin and preaching the gospel of grace, their enemies say they are turning the world upside down, although they are really turning it rightside up! In this message we examine 4 marks of the kind of person who turns the world rightside up.

Today, as in Athens 2000 years ago, we are tempted every day to worship idols, or false gods – by putting our hope and seeking our joy in created things, such as technology, entertainment, other people, etc. – rather than the one true God who created all things. When we put all our hope in created things, we will sooner or later be completely disappointed. Let’s listen as Paul brings us to the only true God, who is worthy of our worship.

Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and he will judge the world on a day that God has appointed. How will you respond to this knowledge? Derision (laugh it off), delay (I’ll think about it later), or decision to repent and believe in Jesus?

The city of Corinth that Paul came to on his second missionary journey was like Vanity Fair in the book Pilgrim’s Progress: it was full of immorality and wickedness. Upon coming to Corinth, Paul was alone and prone to discouragement from of all of the persecution that he had suffered from city to city. In this message, we see how the Lord encouraged him by giving him friends, converts, and promises.

In the book of Acts, we see a time of transition for the Jews from the Old Covenant ways to the New Covenant. In this study we focus on Paul, Apollos and the 12 Ephesian Men as they transition from Judaism to Christianity.

Many years ago Hal Lindsay wrote a book entitled, “Satan Is Alive And Well On Planet Earth.” And, you know what – he was right. Satan is alive and well on Planet Earth. But you know what – Jesus is More Alive and He’s More Well on Planet Earth! We’re going to see that truth as we come to Acts 19 today.

In Acts 20 we have the only description of a New Testament church gathering. In this study we examine the time, location, purpose and activities of this meeting in order to see some very valuable principles that should guide us as we meet together in the name of our great Redeemer.

As Paul recounts his ministry among the Ephesian Elders, he instructs them as to what a faithful ministry to God, the Church, and the Lost looks like.

In Acts 28 we have an illustration of Paul’s description of his relationship to God — “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.” In the first half of the chapter we see the Lord’s commitment to His servants and in the second half we see the servant’s commitment to His Lord.